TAVI gave Nancy renewed health with minimal surgery Nancy Napoli suffered through serious heart disease since she was a teenager after radiation treatments for lymphoma scarred her heart. A recent heart valve replacement at Texas Heart Institute via catheter, called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), without the need for open-heart surgery, has made her healthy again. Watch her video.

A surprising medical journey for a health professional Cardiovascular disease never occurred to emergency room nurse Teresa Ferricher, an avid runner and young mother. Then the unexpected happened. Diagnosed with a cardiac tumor, she was referred to Dr. Bud Frazier at THI. After successful surgery, she suffered a heart attack and was then supported by a ventricular assist device (VAD). Her heart recovered enough that she didn't need a transplant. She now enjoys good health and urges women (and men!) to be knowledgeable about heart health, to listen to their bodies, and to pay attention to warning signs that something may be wrong. Watch her video.

Overcoming a rare heart condition with persistence and determination Trasetta Terry, began noticing a loss of stamina and soon she could no longer perform even simple daily tasks. Doctors were baffled until Dr. Deborah Meyers at the Texas Heart Institute diagnosed an unusual and serious heart condition (thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) which was causing her right heart failure. Trasetta and Dr. Meyers tell her story and advise women to "know your body" and be informed about your health. Watch her video.

Learning to live an active, productive life with heart disease Betty Moreton has been living with heart disease for a long time, and has some advice for others. Under the care of her cardiologists from THI, she was treated for atrial fibrillation. She then learned about healthy lifestyle choices to help her continue an active, productive and happy life. Watch her video.

Barbara Covington on lessons learned after her health crisis Barbara Covington, businesswoman, songwriter and heart patient, shares some lessons she has learned after her health crisis was treated at Texas Heart Institute. Watch her video.

Every woman has a story—with heart

Almost 43 million American women are living with cardiovascular disease. More than 600,000 of them in Texas. Seven special women share their "survivor" stories in their own words.